Hot Topics:

Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, in Kansas City, Missouri, in September. The Indians have picked up their $9.75 million contract option on Carlos Carrasco for next season.

Indians pick up club option on pitcher Carlos Carrasco for $9.75 million

Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, in Kansas City, Missouri, in September. The Indians have picked up their $9.75 million contract option on Carlos Carrasco for next season.

The starting rotation is the backbone of the Indians, and on Oct. 30 the Tribe took a step to make sure that won't change by picking up the $9.75 million club option for 2019 on Carlos Carrasco.

The Indians also announced they declined the $3 million club option on outfielder Brandon Guyer.

Carrasco, a 31-year-old right-hander, was 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 2018. He struck out 231 batters and walked 43 in 192 innings. He is 79-62 with a 3.94 ERA in 207 career games (171 starts) with the Indians.

"It's a much better position going into the offseason knowing we have continuity and some depth in our rotation," Indians president Chris Antonetti said on a conference call. "It's a very difficult area to build quality alternatives, as we've seen over the last decade or so, but we're really excited about the group we have and it gives us a leg up on our planning moving forward.

"We believe Carlos has established himself as one of the top starters in the American League. He has been a contributor to our team the last few seasons. We're obviously elated to continue his time with the team and organization and expect him to make a big impact on our team for the next few seasons."

The Indians also have a club option on Carrasco for 2020.

The Indians' starting rotation of Corey Kluber, Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber is set, but there is equal uncertainty in the bullpen and outfield because of pending free agency.

Outfielders Michael Brantley, Melky Cabrera, Lonnie Chisenhall, Rajai Davis and now Guyer will officially become free agents on Nov. 3. Antonetti said the Indians might re-sign Guyer at a lower salary if Guyer doesn't get a better offer from another team.

"It (declining Guyer's option) was a very difficult decision for us to make," Antonetti said. "We thought it would be best declining the option, leaving the door open to bringing Brandon back but maybe under different terms.

"Brandon has been a contributing member of our team for the last 2 1/2 seasons and made a very big impact at times. He battled through some injuries. When he was healthy, we saw a guy capable of impacting our team and hitting in the middle of the order against left-handed pitching."

Guyer played in 103 games in 2018, but batted only 194 times. He hit .206 with seven home runs and 21 RBI.

"The outfield will be an area we'll continue to work through in the offseason," Antonetti said. "It's probably the area on our team with the least certainty. Exactly what that composition of players will look like, we have a few months to figure out. As we're currently situated today, we have more left-handed hitting options than right-handed hitting options there."

Center fielder Bradley Zimmer is recovering from shoulder surgery and expected to miss part of the 2019 season. Tyler Naquin has recovered from hip surgery and should be ready for the start of spring training in mid-February. Both bat left-handed.